Ohaeles c



CHARLES C. MOORE.

improvement ih Folding Boxes.

NO. 115,1764, Patent-edJuneMSl CHARLES C. MOORE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

imeeovsnsar is Femme-sexes.

Specification forming' part of Letters Patent No. 115,764, dated J une 6, 187i.

I, CHARLES (lMooRE, of 131 William street', New York city, State of N ew York, have in vented an Improvement in a Folding-Box, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to theaccompanying drawing making a part of this specification.

Figure l is an elevation of box complete. Fig. 2 is a view partially folded. Fig. 3 is'an elevation when folded up.

My invention has for its object an improved method of constructing folding-boxes made of tin or other sheet metal, whereby greater strength, durability, and convenience are attained, combined with a neat and compact form; and it consists in making the knuckle of the hinges oi' the top and bottom serve as stays or inside braces of the. ends, and in forming the back in two longitudinal pieces, connected together by an intermediate reversejointed hinge to facilitate the folding.

As shown in the drawing, a is the bottom piece, with the front and back sides each connected therewith by a continuous hinge and an upturned lip on ila-nge A A, extending all around, which limits the motions ofthe sides and back on the hinges to an upright position. The back is divided longitudinally into two equal parts, which are hinged together so as to turn in a reverse direction to the hinge at the bottom, and to the upper one the top or cover is hinged to swing in the same direction as the hinge connecting the bottom with the back, thus alternating the top and bottom hinges with a reverse intermediate hinge. The eect of this is that, in folding the box, the back folds together between the bottom and cover inside the box, and is entirely concealed 5 and in opening, and when open, the cover moves with greaterfreedom, and may be turned in a variety of directions, obviating that rigidity which in other boxes is liable to strain and derange the hinges. The end pieces b l5 are hinged to the ends of thefront piece C, so as to swing inwardly andlie parallel wit-hit, or nearly so, when folded, but when the box is opened for use they are moved on the axis of the hinges until they meet the lip A A on the outer edge of the bottom. The barrels or knuckles of the hin ges, which-except in the reverse one-lie inside of the box at the angles of the top, bottom, and sides, are, at both ends, made a little shorter than the box, as shown at B B, leaving sufficient space between their end and the flanges A A to receive the end pieces b b when in position, and form inside stops or stays to hold the ends in place, thereby dis pensing with inside flanges, lugs, or braces. The knuckles of the hinges being continuous, and having a wire for the axis, form the most secure stays that can be employed i'or the purpose, and cannot be 'bent or broken oii' from use, as soldered lugs or iianges are liable to be, and do not interfere with the folding of the parts close together, as do the latter.

This mode of construction forms a box which is strong, light, easily made, and with no detached or removable parts.

I claim as my inventionl. The hinged 'front G, swinging ends b h, and the lip A of the bottom, in combination with the back D, composed of two longitudinal parts hinged together and to the top and bottom, the intermediate hinge being reversejointed, substantially as and for the purpose specied.

2. Forming inside stays by means of the knuckles ot' the continuous hin ges, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

CHARLES (l. MOORE.

Witnesses:

M. A. MOORE, H. S. FIRMAN. 

